PHOTOS!!!

Rich and Jeff here. We finally made it to Monterey in tact and are happy to be on dry, solid land again (for a while). We're putting some photos up here quickly today and will follow up with more detailed personal accounts once we write them. Now, off to the bar!

Jeff: Man, the fumes from those moldy "used" survival suits is making me sleepy.
Rich: If you ever have to put one on, you're not gonna be complaining! (but admittedly they do stink. Bad). FYI, this is about the cleanest the inside of the boat ever got...


Jeff: Container ships, our number one enemy on this voyage, or so i thought.
Rich: Turning the posh Port Angeles transient dock into our work site. Repairing broken hatch board and mounting the very important storm boards over the big cabin windows (to prevent crashing waves from stoving them in).
Jeff: Now that the "storm boards" are on I have nothing to worry about. right.
Jeff: Port Angeles is the home of Westport boats, you know, the 50 meter, 40 million dollar boats that you dream of finding in your stocking every Xmas. I bet they don't need storm boards.
Rich: Apparently an Arabian princess from UAE was given one as her 21st birthday present. Tiger Woods has one too. I know where my penny jar money is going.
Jeff: This bumper could double as a "Sea Bob". We could tow it behind the boat and ride it for fun, or at least until we get eaten by a white pointer, like in Jaws 4.
Rich: Guess which one is going across the Pacific...
Jeff: You know, I never noticed how small our boat looked relative to other sailboats.
Jeff: Our first Gale off, off Oregon coast. Rich looks worried...that isn't good.
Rich: It was a cold front that passed through with southerly winds (impeding our progress). That look is contemplation on how to keep our mileage while fighting with the weather. Apparently going to bed and leaving Jeff to deal with it wasn't the most seaman-like decision in retrospect...
Jeff: "Hey Rich, is the boat supposed to rock this much?" I think I read somewhere that sharks like yellow.
Rich: "The boat's fine" (it's important to have unwavering confidence in your vessel to preserve your sanity). And yes, studies have shown that sharks are most attracted to the colour yellow.
Jeff: "Rich, are those going to get bigger?"
Rich: "Yes"
Jeff: The next morning. I had the night shift in that Gale and watched the Navik (our wind vane) rock side to side all night, but was too petrified to move and lock it off.
Rich: Some minor repair needed, but faced with losing "the Nav Man" it's importance definitely grew in our minds. I now tend to it daily, oiling the bushings, tightening the bolts, etc.
Rich: Drying out after our first gale and eating fruit cups, which now don't have the little cherries. What happened? Did the price of cherries spike?
Jeff: I wonder if my weather suit will smell any better after it dries out.
Jeff: "What do you mean the price of oil had its single largest price jump EVER?!!! SELL, SELL!!!"
Rich: Context: sat phone use 60 miles offshore.
Jeff: Funny how the only two times i ever saw a worried look on Rich's face i managed to catch it on camera.
Jeff: Expecting more heavy weather tonight. I cannot wait, but am really just crying inside.
Rich: This photo of "Mister Tomato" taken before the crying on the outside actually started.
Jeff: A more accurate reflection of my true feelings about the forecast.
Rich: note to self: include Valium in first aid kit for next expedition...
Jeff: Fun times.
Rich: At least I thought so.
Jeff: Rich's quote here was "I just love watching the waves, they're so fascinating". I felt less inclined to study the waves, but rather felt like hiding down below.
Rich: "wimp"
Rich: "The waves were this tall"
Jeff: That was a big one. The photos really don't do justice to the shear immensity of the swell, but we have video footage that will make your heart stop.
Rich: I estimate 8-12' for the first frontal gale and building up to 20' by the end of the full gale off California. Pretty impressive, especially when they crest and send a 4 foot tall mass of white water hurdling down on the boat and sweeping the cockpit (Jeff was inside crying inside...)
Jeff: My Orange suit was still soaking wet AND stunk as it was also "Used", so back into my shark bait uniform. Woo hoo.
Jeff: "Uhhhhh Rich, how do we work the EPIRB again?" Man o man, my nerves are shot....
Rich: "Don't worry, we're fine, the worst that could happen is that we get pooped and the cockpit gets filled with water. Just don't look behind you!"


Jeff: ...but this helps a little.
Jeff: Monterey...my sentiments exactly.
Jeff: Walking is the new challenge. I walked right into a school group on my way to the harbormaster/customs. Drunken sailor?
Rich: I never get seasick, but I did feel a bit queasy being back on land again.
Jeff: Yup, Monterey has it all, "Keytars" and oh so much more. This guy was awesome and finally drowned out the sea lions that are all barking on the shore behind him.
Rich: After a smoking electric blues number where he alternated between playing keyboard solos on the regular keyboard and guitar solos on the keytar, he busted a nice quiet latin number where he played the "accoustic" keytar. This guy definitely loves life.
Jeff: Life in Monterey harbor has a sliiiiiightly more relaxing feel.
Rich: We should be sailing!